AU664314B2

AU664314B2 - Interlabial sanitary pad

Info

Publication number: AU664314B2
Application number: AU50232/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Randy Emil Meirowitz; John Philip Vukos
Original assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
Current assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Priority date: 1992-11-13
Filing date: 1993-10-22
Publication date: 1995-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 2013-10-22
Also published as: EP0597498A1; JPH06190004A; KR940010982A; JP3554348B2; CA2090990C; CA2090990A1; KR100256931B1; TW271390B; BR9304376A; CN1086704A; ZA937228B; US5484429A; AU5023293A; MX9306690A

Description

PATENT

INTERLABIAL SANITARY PAD Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to the field of feminine sanitary protection devices to absorb and/or contain menstrual fluids and other body exudates. More specifically, this invention relates to an interlabial pad which provides comfort and discretion in appearance.

10 Background of the Invention Conventional feminine sanitary protection devices designed to absorb body fluid, including menses, come in functional designs which o can be grouped into four categories. In the first category, sanitary napkins are worn externally about the pudendal area and are designed primarily for heavy flow. Second, panty liners are thin products developed for light flow. Third, tampons are designed to be positioned internally within the vagina. Last, interlabial pads are designed to reside at least partially within toe wearer's labia minora.

20 In the first category, sanitary napkins can have high absorptive capacity with either a thin or thick absorptive element. However, compressive forces of the wearer's thighs and pudendal region during any physical movement, such as walking, can cause the sanitary napkin to shift from its original position protecting the vulvar area.

After a relatively short period of time, the sanitary napkin may move away from the vaginal orifice. The wearer's movement, particularly vigorous movement such as rapid walking or running, can also cause discomfort, such as by rubbing or chafing in the sensitive vulvar area.

In addition to concerns of sanitary napkin movement and wearer discomfort, a concern of high degree of wearing awareness is present.

1 Some thick sanitary napkins have a high profile appearance when viewed through a wearer's outer garments. The sanitary napkins can be very apparent when worn with tight-fitting clothing, including slacks, body suits, swim suits, or similarly thin or close-fitting outer garments.

In the second category, panty liners have been developed for light or low menstrual flows. Some panty liners have the same problems associated with sanitary napkins, although their thin profile makes them more flexible, less obtrusive in appearance, and generally more comfortable than the bulky sanitary napkins. However, the thin-profile panty liners can be a drawback in the performance area of absorptive capacity.

Tampons, as a third category of feminine care devices, are worn internally within the vaginal canal to intercept body fluid. Some 15 women, from a personal standpoint, find wearing tampons to be physically or psychologically disagreeable. Furthermore, some tampons may not function correctly to prevent leakage, because radial expansion of the tampon within the vaginal canal does not form a perfect seal. Yet, without such radial expansion and swelling of the tampon within the vaginal canal, the tampon fails to serve as a reliable sanitary protection device.

.Interlabial pads, as a fourth category of feminine care devices, can be viewed as a hybrid between sanitary napkins and tampons.

Interlabial pads provide a prominence or projection designed to be disposed within a woman's labia minora. Interlabial pads can proviJe a preferred profile of appearance when viewed through a wearer's outer garments and do not have the same problems of reliance on swelling within the vaginal canal as required by tampons. However, currently available interlabial pads have only limited capacities for the amount of body fluid which can be absorbed before creating wearer discomfort or failure by leaking through a wearer's outer garments.

U.S. Patent Nos. 3,726,277, 3,983,873, and 4,175,561, issued to Hirschman, disclose interlabial hygienic pads which are commercially sold as the Fresh 'n Fit padette. These pads are designed to be positioned between the labia minora, and they have only a low capacity for containing body fluid because of the small amount of absorbent which can comfortably fit between the labia minora.

-2- Now, an interlabial pad has been developed which is comfortable to wear while providing adequate protection.

Summary of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

There is disclosed herein an interlabial sanitary pad comprising: an absorbent fluid pickup module configured to fit between the labia of a woman and comprising undensified fluid obsorbent/wicking fibres covered by a fluid-pervious cover; and an absorbent fluid capacity module of generally flattened fan shape and extending from one end of said pickup module, said capacity module containing longitudinally oriented densified fluid-wicking fibres packed therein at a bulk density greater than said undensified fluid-absorbent/wicking fibres in said pickup module, said capacity module being configured to be positioned exterior of said labia and being surrounded by a fluidimpervious baffle to contain body fluid therein; and wherein said fluid-wicking fibres contained in both said pickup and capacity modules are capable of carrying fluid from said pickup module to said capacity module.

There is further disclosed herein an interlabial sanitary pad comprising: a pickup module having an outers, liquid-pervious cover and a pickup absorbent comprising undensified fluid absorbent/wicking fibres and structured for residing in a woman's vaginal opening: a capacity module of generally flattened fan shape containing a capacity absorbent enclosed by a liquid-impervious baffle, said capacity module structured to be positioned exterior of said vaginal opening; and fluid flow means for carrying fluid from said pickup module to said capacity module, said fluid flow means comprising longitudinally oriented fluid-wicking fibers packed in said capacity module at a bulk density greater than in said pickup module.

There is further disclosed herein an interlabial sanitary pad having a low profile appearance when viewed through the wearer's outer garments comprising: 30 a pickup module having an outer, liquid-pervious cover and a pickup absorbent configured for positioning at a woman's vaginal opening; a capacity module containing a capacity absorbent enclosed by a liquid-impervious baffle and configured for residing in a wearer's perineal area remote frco contact with said vaginal opening, said capacity module having a generally flattened fan shape and a pair of protective wings for protecting adjacent clothing from being stained by body fluid; fluid-wicking fibers communicating with both said pickup and capacity modules for absorbing fluid and for carrying fluid from said pickup module to said capacity module, Ssaid fluid-wicking fibers comprising longitudinally oriented fibers packed in said pickup [N:\libll]00273:DSS module at a bulk density in the range of 0.07 0.11 g/cm 3 and longitudinally oriented fibers packed ha said capacity module at a bulk density of 0.16 0.22 g/cm3; and superabsorbent positioned within said capacity module for absorbing and containing menses and other body fluids in a tota! absorbent capacity greater than 12 grams.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig,, 1 is a plan view of an interlabial sanitary pad.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the interlabial sanitary pad shown n Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic showing the interlabial sanitary pad as worn on a female body.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the interlabial sanitary pad including protective side shields.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation view of the interlabial sanitary pad shown in Fig. 4.

Detailed Description of the Proferred Embodiments is Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, an interlabial sanitary pad 10 is shown which includes a pickup module 20 and a capacity module The pickup module 20 contains loosely fit, Auid absorbent/wicking fibers 22 and is adapted to fit a woman's labia minora area. It is believed that tht, fluid absorbent/wicking fibers 22 suitable for the present invention can be composed of any absorbent material capable of absorbing and wicking human exudate. ExampleB of suitable fibers include, but are not limited to, polypropylene fibers, polyester fiers, rayon fibers, cotton fibers, wood pulp fluff fibers, bleached or unbleached, or mixtures of these fibers with or without surfactant treatment.

*e Preferably, the fluid absorbent/wicking fibers 22 are longitudinally oriented to fit 25 the labia minora area. The fluid absorbent/wicking fibers 22 in the ;pickup module 20 can be covered by e el• e ••e [N:\ibll]00273:DSS an outer cover 24 pervious to menstrual fluids and other body exudate fluids. A suitable cover material can be a spunbond material.

Inside the cover 24 of the pickup module 20, the fluid absorbent/wicking fibers 22 communicate in fluid flow between the pickup module 20 and the capacity module 30 for carrying fluid from the pickup module 20 to the capacity module 30. The fluid absorbent/wicking fibers 22 preferably are composed of a material capable of wetting and wicking menses or other body exudate fluids.

Examples of economical fibers suitable for fluid absorbent/wicking fibers 22 are cellulose acetate tow, in one embodiment in a tri-lobal cross section, or a rayon tow in a multilobal cross section.

In a preferred embodiment, the fluid absorbent/wicking fibers 22 are loosely packed within the cover of the pickup module 20. The 15 urdensified fluid absorbent/wicking fibers 22 in the pickup module are preferably longitudinally oriented and continue into the capacity module 30 where they are packed tighter to form densified wicking 9.

fibers 32. This allows for yielding a density gradient between the undensified fluid absorbent/wicking fibers 22 and densified wicking fibers 32 of the different modules 20 and 30, respectively. The longitudinally oriented densified wicking fibers 32 are packed in the capacity module 30 at a bulk density greater than the fluid absorbent/wicking fibers 22 in the pickup module 20. The density gradient promotes the flow of fluid from the pickup module 20 to the 25 capacity module The capacity module 30 is adapted to be carried on a woman i.n a position exterior of or remote from contact with the woman's labia minora area. The absorbent material in the capacity module 30 can be any absorbent capable of absorbing human exudate, such as polyester fibers, rayon fibers, cotton fibers, wood pulp fluff fibers, bleached or unbleached, or mixtures of these fibers with or without surfactant treatment.

The capacity module 30 can be constructed to contain a high capacity absorbent or superabsorbent 34 (SAM). The superabsorbent can be one or more materials capable of absorbing many times its own weight of menses or body fluid. The superabsorbent 34 can be 5 provided by such superabsorbent materials as are known to one skilled in tfe art.

In one aspect, the undensified fluid absorbent/wicking fibers 22 extending from the pickup module 20 into the densified wicking fibers 32 of capacity module 30 can be viewed as a channel communicating between the pickup module 20 and the capacity module for carrying fluid from the pickup module 20 to the capacity module 30. Preferably, the channel contains longitudinally oriented fluid-wicking fibers packed in a differential density which increases from undensified fluid absorbent/wicking fiber 22 to densified wicking fit rs 32.

The densified wicking fibers 32 communicate fluid to the high capacity absorbent 34 contained within the capacity module 30. The densified wicking fibers 32 terminate at or near the far end of the 15 capacity module 30 at a position suitable for fluid communication with the high capacity absorbent material 34 which captures and retains the menstrual fluid. The high capacity absorbent material 34 can be superabsorbent as described above.

A fluid-pervious cover 24 surrounds the fluid absorbent/wicking fibers 22 and densified wicking fibers 32. A fluid-impervious baffle 36 surrounds the high capacity absorbent 34 in the capacity module The capacity module 30 includes the fluid-impervious baffle 36 capable of surrounding the entire capacity module. The 25 fluid-impervious baffle 36 can be a polymer film of polyethylene, polypropylene, or any other material with similar properties including breathable film. The polymer film of the baffle 36 may be combined with a nonwoven material to create a cloth-like outer cover or baffle impervious to fluid. The baffle 36 will block the flow of body fluid onto an outer garment of the body of the wearer.

The capacity module 30 can be configured as a compact structure that expands as it absorbs fluid, or it can be a structure constructed to be at full size initially. The capacity module 30 can have a flatteed fan shape to provide comfort to the wearer. In one aspect, the capacity module 30 is adapted to be fit in a position at or near a woman's perineal area.

-6- The higher density fibers 32 draw fluid from the lower density fibers 22 and retain it in capacity module 30. The density of the lower density fibers 22 should be in the range of about 0.03 to about 0.14 g/cm 3 A preferred range for the lower density fiber 22, of about 0.07 to about 0.11 g/cm 3 provides a desired integrity and bulk. The density of the higher density fibers 32 should be in the range of about 0.14 to about 0.3 g/cm 3 A preferred range of the higher density fiber 32, of about 0.16 to about 0.22 g/cm 3 provides a desired capillarity without excessive stiffness.

The longitudinally oriented fluid absorbent/wicking fibers can be provided by fibers having a length dimension equal to one-quarter the length o' the product to the full length of the product and average or nominal diameters of a"'out 1 micron to 1 mm. The longitudinally oriented densified wicking fibers 32 can have a length 15 dimension equal to one-quarter the length of the product to the full length of the product and average or nominal diameters of about 1 micron to 1 mm.

The pickup module 20 is connected to the capacity module in any of the following manners: Adhesive, heat, ultrasonic bonding, or in any manner that allows for liquid communication between modules.

Without intending to be limited to a specific dimension, the length of the pickup module 20 is indicated as L i and can be about 50 mm, plus or minus about 5 mm. The width of the pickup module is indicated as W 1 and can be about 8 mm, plus or minus about 1 mm.

25 Similarly, the height of the pickup module 20 is indicated as H, and can be about 15 mm, plus or minus about 2 mm.

Without intending to be linlited to a specific dimension, the length of the capacity module 30 is indicated as L, and can be about 45 mm, plus or minus about 5 mm. The width of the capacity module is indicated as W 2 and can be about 35 mm (when full), plus or minus about 4 mm. Similarly, the height of the capacity module 30 is indicated as H 2 and can be about 10 mm (when full), plus or minus about 2 mm.

Thr ,otal absorbance and containment of body fluids in the capacity module 30 is on the order of at least about 12 grams. Such capacity is a significant level of fluid containment compared to prior interlabial sanitary pads.

7 Referring to Fig. 3, the interlabial sanitary pad 10 is shown applied to a female body. The pickup module 20 is inserted between the labia minora 40. The labia minora 40 is formed by two narrow folds of tissue enclosed within the cleft of the labia majora The labia majora are two rounded folds of tissue that form the external lateral boundaries of the vulva. The length of the pickup module 20 is centered over the vaginal orifice 60. The capacity module 30, as shown in one embodiment, is positioned to the posterior of the labia minora 40 and extends into the perineal area Alternatively, the interlabial sanitary pad 10 can be constructed with the capacity module 30 extending toward the frunt of the labia minora 40 or with the capacity module 30 extending directly downward from the pickup module 20. The interlabial sanitary pad 10 is held in place by the pressure exerted on it by the labia majora 50 and the 15 surrounding body tissue.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, an interlabial sanitary pad 80 is shown having a pair of protective side shields 82 and 84. The protective side shields 82 and 84 are attached to the posterior of the pickup module 20 to provide protection against fluid leaking onto an outer garment of the wearer.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a feminine personal hygiene care product or sanitary protection device capable of absorbing and containing menstrual fluids, or other natural body exudates, by intercepting menstrual fluid flow with the pickup 25 module 20 located in a position at the labia minora and by wicking the fluid to the capacity module 30 located in a position exterior or outside the labia minora. The feminine sanitary protection device 'operates to move absorbed fluid to the capacity module 30 at a 1" destinatijn remote from the interlabial positioning of the pickup module 20 and provides for absorption of significant amounts of fluid compared to prior art interlabial sanitary protection devices.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with several embodiments, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

-8-

Claims

1. An interlabial sanitary pad comprising: an absorbent fluid pickup module configured to fit between the labia of a woman and comprising undensified fluid absorbent/wicking fibres covered by a fluid-pervious cover; and an absorbent fluid capacity module of generally flattened fan shape and extending from one end of said pickup module, said capacity module containing longitudinally oriented densified fluid-wicking fibres packed therein at a bulk density greater than said undensified fluid-absorbent/wicking fibres in said pickup module, said capacity module being configured to be positioned exterior of said labia.and being surrounded by a fluid- impervious baffle to contain body fluid therein; and wherein said fluid-wi.Ying fibres contained in both said pickup and capacity modules are capable of carrying fluid from said pickup module to said capacity module.

2. The interlabial sanitary pad of claim 1 wherein said capacity module is configured to fit on the wearer in a position rearward from a woman's labia.

3. The interlabial sanitary pad of claim 1 wherein said fluid-wicking fibers are absorbent and can be wetted by menses.

4. The interlabial sanitary pad of claim 3 wherein said capacity module contains superabsorbent particles.

5. The interlabial sanitary pad of claim 4 having a total absorbent capacity of more than 12 grams.

6. The interlabial sanitary pad of claim 5 having a low profile appearance when 9 viewed through the wearer's outer garments.

7. An interlabial sanitary pad comprising: 25 a pickup module having an outers, liquid-pervious cover and a pickup absorbent comprising undensified fluid absorbent/wicking fibres and structured for residing in a woman's vaginal opening: a capacity module of generally flattened fan shape containing a capacity absorbent S. enclosed by a liquid-impervious baffle, said capacity module structured to be positioned 30 exterior of said vaginal opening; and fluid flow means for carrying fluid from said pickup module to said capacity module, said fluid flow means comprising longitudinally oriented fluid-wicking fibers packed in said capacity module at a bulk density greater than in said pickup module.

8. The interlabial sanitary pad of claim 7 wherein said capacity module is 3s structured to be positioned rearward from dhe wearer's labia.

9. The interlabial sanitary pad of claim 7 wherein said capacity module is structured to be positioned on the wearer at an angle downward and exterior from contact with the wearer's labia. [N:\libll]00273:DSS The interlabial sanitary pad of claim 7 wherein said fluid-wicking fibers comprise said pickup absorbent, further comprise said capacity absorbent, and can be wetted by menses.

11. The interlabial sanitary pad of claim 10 wherein said capacity module contains superabsorbent particles.

12. The interlabial sanitary pad of claim 10 having a total absorbent capacity of more than 12 grams.

13. The interlabial sanitary pad of claim 12 having a low profile appearance when viewed through the outer garments of a wearer.

14. An interlabial sanitary pad having a low profile appearance when viewed through the wearer's outer garments comprising: a pickup module having an outer, liquid-pervious cover and a pickup absorbent configured for positioning at a woman's vaginal opening; a capacity module containing a capacity absorbent enclosed by a liquid-impervious baffle and configured for residing in a wearer's perineal area remote from contact with said vaginal opening, said capacity module having a generally flattened fan shape and a pair of protective wings for protecting adjacent clothing from being stained by body fluid; fluid-wicking fibers communicating with both said pickup and capacity modules for absorbing fluid and for carrying fluid from said pickup module to said capacity module, said fluid-wicking fibers comprising longitudinally oriented fibers packed in said pickup module at a bulk density in the range of 0.07 0.11 g/cm 3 and longitudinally oriented .i fibers packed in said capacity module at a bulk density of 0.16 0.22 g/cm 3 and superabsorbent positioned within said capacity module for absorbing and containing S menses and other body fluids in a total absorbent capacity greater than 12 grams.

15. An interlabial sanitary pad substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated 12 September, 1995 S.Kimberly-Clark Corporation Patent Attorneys for the ApplicantiNominated Person 30 SPRUSON FERGUSON [N:\libll]00273:DSS L _C II1 I I INTERLABIAL SANITARY PAD Abstract An interlabial sanitary pad (10) is disclosed including a pickup module (20) containing an absorbent which is adapted to fit in or adjacent to a vaginal opening, a capacity module (30) containing an absorbent which is adapted to be positioned remote from the vaginal opening, and fluid-wicking fibers (22) serving as the absorbent and further communicating with both the pickup (20) and capacity (30) modules for carrying fluid fom the pickup module (20) to the capacity module The fluid-wicking fibers (22) are longitudinally oriented and packed in the capacity module (30) at a bulk density greater than in the pickup module The pickup module (20) has a fluid-pervious cover while the capacity module has a fluid-impervious baffle (36) Scapable of containing fluid therein. The capacity module (30) can have a flattened fan shape and can contain superabsorbent (34). F* *1 Figure 1. B. KMH/2196W ,I